Thursday, February 25, 2010

UCSB Mens Basketball vs. CS Northridge

Sigh. Wow, that was way too close. With UCSB up 47-21 with 13:48 to go in the second half, this looked like Men vs. Boys out there. Northridge rallied but in the end the Gauchos held on to win 74-69.
Northridge had trailed by as many as 26, but with 7:52 to go got it down to single digits, 51-42, after a Kenny Daniels lay up. UCSB committed 24 turnovers and was the main cause the Matadors got back in the game.

UCSB then went on a little run to make it 59-46 with 5:06 left but then the Matadors left The Thunderdome fighting for their life as if 10 bulls were running at them.

They had a furious comeback to get it to 69-67 with 24 seconds after 2 free throws from lunchpale man Willie Galick.
UCSB then made 3 out of their next 4 free throws to make it 72-69 but Willie Galick got fouled and sinked both.

James Powell was fouled again but made both to seal the victory.
Orlando Johnson had 19 points with 6 coming on dunks. James Powell had a clutch game with 17 points and making 3 of 5 three pointers. James "Nunnally for Naismith" Nunnally and Jaime "Zero my Hero" Serna each chipping in 15 points. Greg Somogyi had a solid game with 6 points while shooting 3 of 3 from the field.
Kenny Daniels led the Matadors with 23 as they dropped to 10-18, 5-8 BWC. UCSB improves to 17-8, 11-3.
The Gauchos are in action this Saturday at Cal Poly for a 7 p.m. Blue-Green Rivalry match up. Their next home game is their final as next Wednesday they take on UC Irvine for Senior Day 2010 at The Thunderdome. James Powell and Paul Roemer will be honored for the Senior Day festivities.
Go Gauchos!

Mr. Clutch James Powell

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Fan Profile #3

For this Fan Profile, we will be showing a passionate, crazy fan. Check it out.

Name: Jackson
Gaucho Fan: 3 years

Fan Info
# of Games
-Basketball: 40
-Soccer: 15-20
-Volleyball: 1-5

Favorite Moments
1. When Will Brew took the charge to secure the January win for Pacific, 68-67. Jackson had a first hand view as the ball boy on that end of the hoop.
2. When Orlando Johnson hit a game tying three pointer vs. CSUF to send it into overtime.
3. Storming the court after UCSB beat CSUF in overtime.

Favorite Players
Chris Brew, Will Brew Jr., Lucas Devenny


Jackson at Senior Day 2008

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Fan Profile #2

This is the second of four Fan Profiles. Today we highlight one of the original Jr Locos.

Basic Info

Name: Beau
Gaucho Fan: 4 years

Fan Info

# of Games
-Basketball: 45-55
-Soccer: 5-10
-Baseball: 5


Favorite Moments
1. When UCSB was leading #1 ranked and eventual National Champion North Carolina by five points with about 5 minutes to go in the first half at the Gaucho-Tar Heel game in the T-Dome.
2. The noise of the atmosphere during the UNC-UCSB game and how he says, "You could slice the excitement with a butter knife!

Favorite Players: James Nunnally, Chris Devine, and Orlando Johnson.


Beau at the Senior Day 2008 Game

Monday, February 22, 2010

Fan Profile

I will be starting a new series, Fan Profile. I will highlight some of the biggest UCSB fans around. The first one, me.
Basic Info
Name: Tyler Coady
Lives: Carpinteria, CA
Gaucho Fan: 4 years
Fan Info
# of Games
-Basketball: 60-70
-Soccer: 25-35
-Baseball: 5
-Volleyball: 5
-Women's Basketball: 10
-Basketball Away Games: 5
-Big West Tournaments: 4
5 Favorite Moments
1. James Powell buzzer beater vs. UNLV
2. James Nunnally buzzer beater vs. LBSU
3. Senior Day 2008
4. First UCSB Game, November 2006
5. North Carolina-UCSB Game

Favorite Players (Past)
Alex Harris, Chris Devine, Cecil Brown

Favorite Players (Current)
James Nunnally, Justin Joyner, James Powell, Orlando Johnson




Tyler at the UCSB at Arizona State Game

Sunday, February 21, 2010

UCSB Gauchos Road Trip

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling on the River. The Gauchos are rolling indeed and they stayed hot this week by beating CS Fullerton and then out of conference beating Fresno State. Here are the recaps.

UCSB vs. CS Fullerton
With a spot for clinching two byes in the Big West Tournament, the Gauchos got it done by beating the Titans 73-65. Automatically, UCSB clinches a spot in the Big West Semifinals. Woo Hoo. I will be able to see them in Anaheim!!

Orlando Johnson and James Nunnally each had 18 points.

The play of the game though was when PG Justin Joyner nailed a huge three pointer with 3:03 remaining to give the Gauchos the lead for good.

Jaime Serna added 13 points. Versus LBSU and CSF, he has averaged 15 ppg. That's my the kind of Jaime I like.

The Titans had their last lead while up 58-57. They had the momentum, Jer'Vaughn Johnson nailed a J before that, and then who made a three. As I said above, Justin Joyner made a three. This is so amazing because these are his first points of the season. The Gauchos would start to pull away after that until finally winning by 8 points.

Stats:
Free Throw %: CSUF-68.2 % UCSB-81.8%
Attendance: 1,451

UCSB vs. Fresno State
Just as in that This is Gaucho Sports episode, it was time for block party. This time, it was the Big Somogyi's block party. Greg Somogyi had a school single game record 8 blocks and Orlando Johnson had 23 points as UCSB defeated the Bulldogs in an ESPNU Bracket Busters Game 64-60.

UCSB improves to 16-8 overall and stays at 10-3 in Big West play.

UCSB jumped out to a huge 21-6 lead including a 14-0 run to get it there. It looked like the Bulldogs turned into little purse dogs and gave up on the game. The Bulldogs were tough though. They went on a 14-2 run to cut it 23-20. The halftime score would be 32-28.

The game was Santa Barbara's until with 4:32 to play Mike Ladd of Fresno tied it up at 55 a piece.

Then Will Brew (7 points) made a free throw, James "Nunnally for Naismith" Nunnally (8 points) nailed a lay up, and UCSB lead by 3, 58-55. The lead was then 60-59 with 2:27 to play and stayed that way until with 13.8 seconds James Powell (10 points) made two free throws to make it 62-59.

Fresno had a chance with a second to go but OJ got the rebound, was fouled, sinked them both, and it was over. Goodbye Fresno. Big West is in DA HOUSE!

The Gauchos play Wednesday at The Thunderdome vs. Big West foe Cal State Northridge at 7 p.m. Be there or be square!!!!

Go Gauchos!



Greg "Block Boy" Somogyi

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Predictions for All Big West Teams

With only about 1 month to go in the Big West season, I am making my All Big West Predictions. There have been some great players and here are the ones who deserve recognition.
Big West Player of the Year- Orlando Johnson, UCSB
Big West Coach of the Year- Bob Williams, UCSB
Big West Freshman of the Year- Devon Peltier, CSUF

Big West Defensive Player of the Year- Aaron Thompson, CSUF
Big West Hustle Player of the Year- T.J. Robinson, LBSU
Big West 6th Man of the Year- Greg Plater, LBSU

All Big West 1st Team:
F- Kyle Austin, UCR
F- T.J. Robinson, LBSU
F- Mark Payne, UCD
G- Orlando Johnson, UCSB
G- Lorenzo Keeler, CP-SLO

All Big West 2nd Team:
C- Dominic Calegari, UCD
F- Eric Wise, UCI
F- James Nunnally, UCSB
F- Kenny Daniels, CSUN
G- Casper Ware, LBSU

All Big West Honorable Mention:
G- Michael Hunter, UCI
G/F- Larry Anderson, LBSU
F- Joe Harden, UCD
G/F- Aaron Thompson, CSUF
F- Gerard Anderson, CSUF
G- Jacques Streeter, CSUF
G- Shawn Lewis, CP-SLO
G- Devon Peltier, CSUF
C- Sam Willard, UOP
F- Lenny Daniel, CSUN
All Big West Freshman Team:
G- Devon Peltier, CSUF
G- Lateef McMullan, UCR
G- Ryan Sypkens, UCD

Note: There are not as many good freshman as there were last year so no more deserve this honor.

Hope you enjoyed this!!!

BWC Player of the Year- Orlando Johnson

Saturday, February 13, 2010

UCSB Mens Basketball vs. Long Beach State 49ers

A classic rivalry game. The Beach vs. The Gauchos. It definitely lived up to the hype as the Gauchos pulled out a 64-62 win over their rivals.
The game was tight throughout the game but with 2:26 to go, Long Beach led 60-59. Then the Gauchos took control. Jordan Weiner nailed a three and the Gauchos led 62-60. As Dick Vitale would say, "Hes a 3s Man!" or "That was awesome baby!"
Then at the 1:44 mark, Greg Plater of The Beach made a pair of freebies to tie the game at 62-62.
Witht 1:27 left, James Nunnally made a free throw. Then with 44 seconds to go, Orlando Johnson made a free throw to push the advantage to 2, 64-62.
Then the next time down the court, T.J. Robinson (12 points, 15 rebounds) of The Beach was rejected by Greg Somogyi (7 points, 6 rebounds, 5 blocks) who had a monster impact on the game. Then Larry Anderson got swatted away by Orlando Johnson (11 points, 8 assists).
The ball was knocked out of bounds and Will Brew Jr. (12 points, 2 steals) called a time out. The Gauchos got the ball up the court quickly and wasted a good amount of time to get it down to 7.2 seconds.
James Nunnally went to the line and missed both freebies. Anderson gave the ball to Casper "The Friendly Ghost" Ware who brought it up the court. Then by the three point line, he slipped and the Gauchos won a thriller.
Jaime Serna had 17 points and 4 rebounds. He had his most productive game of the year.
The Gauchos play CS-Foolerton on Wednesday in Fullerton.
Go Gauchos!
P.S. Brian Shaw was the "Legend of the Dome" honored before the game!
Stats:
Records: LBSU-12,13 6-6 BWC UCSB- 14-8, 9-3 BWC
Attendance: 3,400
TV: FSN Prime Ticket

Greg Somogyi

Friday, February 12, 2010

Down the Stretch, The Keys for the Gauchos

With only 5 conference games too go, the Gauchos are nearing the end of the schedule. They sit at 1st place right now with a 8-3 conference record. Here are three keys if the Gauchos wish to close out conference play with the top seed in Anaheim.

1) Free Throw Shooting: The Gauchos are a 66% free throw shooting team and at times during the season it has been worse than that. If the Gauchos want to win close games, they will need to make more like 80% of their free throws.

2) More Production from Front Court: Everyone new there would be a little let down with the 'Chos losing Chris Devine and Jesse Byrd, but I didn't think it would be this much. Jaime Serna, 6.9 ppg, really needs to start stepping up more. Sam Phippen, Greg Somogyi, and Jon Pastorek are both not playing to expectations. So if the Gauchos wish to beat big physical teams like Long Beach State, they need more production from the big guys.

3) More Balanced Scoring: All year its been mainly the James Nunnally and Orlando Johnson show. At times Will Brew and James Powell have had big games, but we need more of those type of games from them. The balance was out vs. Davis with 6 players over 8 points but they need more of that if they wish to get to the Big Dance.

I feel these things will be key if the Gauchos wish to go deep in March.
Go Gauchos!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

UCSB Gauchos-1st Place

Tonight the Pacific Men's Basketball team fell to UC Davis 62-59. Now Pacific is 8-3 in BWC play and guess who is too, U-C-S-B GAUCHOS! The 'Chos are at 8-3 but beat Pacific twice so now more/less UCSB controls their own destiny for a top seed in Anaheim. Hey BracketBusters, might want to rethink your ESPNU game.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

UCSB Mens Basketball vs. UC Davis Aggies

Sigh. Wow, that was a lot closer than it should have been. Leading by 19 points with 4 minutes to go, UCSB blew that lead but hanged on to win a very close one in Davis 81-77.

The 'Chos have now won 8 of 10.

James Nunnally led all scorers with 24 points and he and the rest of his team got out to a HOT start. The Gauchos made their first 7 three-point shots of the game and were up 28-10 mid way through the first half.

Then, the home team came back with the support of a healthy crowd of 2,851. They ended the half on a 23-16 spurt to go behind by 11 at the break.

Then, the Gauchos came playing out of the half like they thought it was already over by missing their first five shots until Nunnally nailed a three pointer. NUNNALLY FOR NAISMITH!!!!

The game stayed around 10 points for the first 9 minutes of the half but then the Gauchos turned on the ignition. Wait, Will Brew (11 points) turned on the ignition. He had a lay-up and a high-flying slam to push the Gaucho lead to 18, 65-47 with 7:20 to play.

The UCSB lead was at its biggest when James Powell (8 points) hit a three ball with 3:39 to go to make it 72-53.

Then the Aggies started to make it a game.

They got the lead back to single-digits with 50 seconds to go when it was 75-66, a 14-3 run.

With 21 seconds to go Ryan Howley of the farmers slammed home a dunk to make it 76-72.

With the pressure on and the Gauchos needing to find an answer, they found the answer. James Nunnally made 2 free throws, Jordan Weiner (11 points) had a steal and a lay-up, and then Orlando Johnson (15 points) made a free throw to seal it. 81-77. FINAL SCORE!

UCSB improves to 13-8, 8-3 BWC and Davis falls to 9-13, 5-5 BWC.

Go Gauchos!


Friday, February 5, 2010

UCSB Mens Basketball vs. Pacific Tigers

Orlando Johnson scored 28 points and James Nunnally had 19 as the Gauchos ended the Tigers 16 game home win streak with a 61-48 win.

The win puts the Gauchos at 7-3 in conference play, 2nd place. Pacific drops to 7-2 in conference play. Both of Pacific's conference losses have come against the mighty Gauchos.

The Gauchos got out and running early by taking a 14-2 lead over the Tigers. The lead never got closer than 8 and the Gauchos put away the 1st place Tigers.

UCSB played its best defensive effort of the year by allowing the Tigers to only shoot 29.4 % overall and 22.2 % from three point land. The Gauchos also forced UOP into 18 turnovers, 8 above the teams average.

With a few seconds left in the 1st half, Pacific's Demetrece Young made a 30 foot basket to cut the Gauchos lead to 34-22.

Pacific came roaring out of the gates in the 2nd half by cutting the lead to 8, 34-26. As they have done all year, James Nunnally made a three and Orlando Johnson scored a lay-up to push the lead to 39-26.

The 34-26 deficet was the closest UOP got in the 2nd half.

Allen Huddleston had 10 points for the Tigers. Pacific's leading scorer was held to 2 points for the 2nd time vs. UCSB this season.

UCSB goes even farther north this Saturday as they take on the farmers of Davis at 7:00 p.m.

If Pacific loses vs. Cal Poly on Saturday and UCSB wins, the 'Chos are back on top of the Big West.

Go Gauchos!


Orlando Johnson